Academy Rifle Returns?

[BrandonH]

Let me start from the beginning...My daughter decided she wanted a deer rifle, so after talking to several people I decided to go with the Rossi Youth combo in .243 available at Academy. Yesterday I made a special trip out of the way to pick it up since the store by my house didn't have on in stock. Today I took off work early and came home to pick my daughter up, so we could go shoot and possibly sit in the stand. We drove 3 hours round trip to the ranch and got setup to shoot, when only 2 out of 8 rounds fired. Upon inspection I noticed that the firing pin wasn't coming out enough to fire only putting a small dimple in the primer.

We finally headed home tonight and I decided to stop at an Academy on the way since the one by my house didn't have it and the store where I bought it was out of the way. Of course Academy's store policy is no returns on firearms, so I asked to speak to the store manager and he told me the same thing. He offered to send it in to get repaired at no cost to me. I informed him that this was unacceptable and that I would like to speak with his regional manager. Of course the regional manage was unavailable , but he would email him. About 15 minutes after leaving the store the store manager called me informing me that the regional manager told him that I would need to take it back to the store I bought it at. I asked if they would take it back, and he told me that I needed to call that store to find out. Needless to say it's too late tonight and I am a little worked up about it. My daughter is out of school all week and this may be the only time I am also off and able to take her hunting all year.

Does anyone have experience dealing with Academy on firearm returns? If so any advice on what I should say or do when I go to the store where I purchased it tomorrow? I hate the fact that I took off early and spent $40 in diesel and $15 in shells for no reason whatsoever, but all I want is for them to give me a rifle that will work and I can use this week.

-Brandon

[TexaRican]

I wonder if their return policy differs with the price of the gun? I had bought a cheap CVA Stalker and they made me sign a paper stating that I understood the no-return policy. Two months later I bought a Marlin 336 for about $200 more and there was no return form to sign. The salesman who walked me out said if I went over to the range and had any problems, just bring it back in.

[bsills]

If your hunting around San Antonio I have a .243 you can borrow. I dont think many places allow returns on firearms, probably a manufactures rule not store.

[hoythunter]

I took a buddy on a dove hunt this year. It was his first dove hunt and he needed a shotgun, so he went to Academy to buy the cheap pump Mossberg makes. He too had to drive across town to a store that had it in stock. He went and picked up the gun, paid for it and got it home. After opening up the box, he notices that it is the home defense version and not the hunting version - Academy had given him the wrong model. He had to jump through hoops, but was able to return it to the same store to exchange it for the model he wanted in the first place. Even though it was Academy's fault, they still tried to tell him there was no returns or exchanges.

[BoneDigger]

It is my understanding that issues with firearms must be returned to the manufacturer and not the store.

If you were closer you could borrow my daughter's youth .243.

Todd

[Tclyle]

I do not know any gun shop or store that you can return a firearm even if it is defective or not,Most will return it to the Manufactor for you to get repaired.

[BoneDigger]

I do not know any gun shop or store that you can return a firearm even if it is defective or not,Most will return it to the Manufactor for you to get repaired.

Academy will send it back to the manufacturer for you free of charge, or at least the one here will.

Todd

[tvc184]

I wonder if their return policy differs with the price of the gun? I had bought a cheap CVA Stalker and they made me sign a paper stating that I understood the no-return policy. Two months later I bought a Marlin 336 for about $200 more and there was no return form to sign. The salesman who walked me out said if I went over to the range and had any problems, just bring it back in.

If your hunting around San Antonio I have a .243 you can borrow. I dont think many places allow returns on firearms, probably a manufactures rule not store.

I was wondering if it is a manufacturer deal where some will take their guns back and others will not.

[Skeeter TZX 200]

i dont see how you can be mad at academy for this, its not their fault the gun doesent work properly, you signed the piece of paper saying NO RETURN POLICY ON FIREARMS. be happy they will send it back to the manufacture for no charge

[N Dubya]

Every firearm, rifle, pistol, or shotgun (about 6 total) I bought from Academy, they made me sign a their no return policy. The policy is garbage, I hope they do the right thing for you.

[Kingslayer]

That rossi youth 243 has alittle kick to it...

[BrandonH]

i dont see how you can be mad at academy for this, its not their fault the gun doesent work properly, you signed the piece of paper saying NO RETURN POLICY ON FIREARMS. be happy they will send it back to the manufacture for no charge

Easy for you to say...try telling that to a little girl that was planning on finally getting to hunt this year and now won't be able to go at all. What's funny is they specifically told me that I could not return the ammo, but not once did they tell me I couldn't bring the gun back.

-Brandon

[BoneDigger]

BTW, I realize it's a done deal but the people I have spoken to who have the Rossi single shots absolutely HATE those guns. One said he was lucky to get it in a pie plate at 50 yards with a scope.

But, since you already have it, send it back to Rossi for a replacement and borrow someone's gun in the meantime.

Todd

[tharper]

I have bought 2 guns from academy and both of them had broken firing pins! Academy would not take them back which they clearly told me when i bought the guns but i tried anyway. Had to call the manufacturer and they said send in the gun or we will send you the parts. I had them send the parts and had them fixed myself. Anyways good luck, but you will probably have to deal with the manufacturer.

[BoneDigger]

Easy for you to say...try telling that to a little girl that was planning on finally getting to hunt this year and now won't be able to go at all. What's funny is they specifically told me that I could not return the ammo, but not once did they tell me I couldn't bring the gun back.

-Brandon

I certainly don't want to see your daughter not get to hunt. Get a TBH Express going from Tyler to your location and you can borrow my daughter's 243.

Todd